Combined field telephone and telegraph assembly



Pt P1.IEJE

March 2, 1937.

COMBINED FIELD TELEPHONE AND TELEGRAPH ASSEMBLY Filed Jan. 29, 1934 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Arrr.

H. H. I DE 2,072,264

COMBINED FIELD TELEPHONE AND TELEGRAPH ASSEMBLY March 2, 1937.

Filed Jan. 29, 1954 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR- HARRY/l. los fl Patented Mar. 2, 1937 v UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE COMBINED FIELD TELEPHONE AND TELEGRAPH ASSEMBLY Application January 29, 1934, Serial No. 708,786

7 Claims.

The present invention relates in general to combined field telephone and telegraph assemblies, but is particularly concerned with the provision of such an assembly which can be inexpensively and ruggedly built to fill the need for such an assembly by Boy Scout organizations and others having need for inexpensive equipment which may be employed to establish temporary or permanent telephone-telegraph communication between two' points.

The invention is disclosed in two sheets of drawings, comprising Figs. 1 to 8, inclusive, showing the structural details of the assembly, and of Fig. 9 which diagrammatically shows the circuit details of two of the assemblies and the manner in which they are connected together in readiness for use. 1

Fig. 1 shows a front elevation of the assembly in its carrying case with the case cover removed,

and with one wall of the case partially broken away so as to expose the major portion of the assembly to view. In this figure the assembly is shown in proper position for use as a telephone set.

Fig. 2 shows a front. elevation of the assembly removed from the case and reversed into the position it assumes when placed in the case in readiness for use as a telegraph set. .A detail portion of this figure is also shown in section.

Fig; 3 is an end view of Fig. 2, but with the detail 35 shown in full.

Fig. 4 shows a rear elevation of the set with its back plate 8 removed. i

Fig. 5 is a bottom view of Fig. 4 showing the 35 telegraphic key in proper position for use of the assembly as a telegraph set.

Fig. 6 is a view similar to Fig. 5 the only difference being that the telegraphic key is shown in the position it is placed when the assembly is to be employed as a telephone set.

Fig. 7 is a front view, in elevation, of the handset cradle and illustrates the position of the associated switching springs when the handset is on the cradle.

. Fig. 8'is similar to Fig. '1, but illustrates the position of the associated springs when the button I8 is being depressed to actuate the signal of the distant assembly when employed as a telephone set.

Fig. 9 shows the circuits of two assemblies connected together by a pair of line conductors and with their telegraphic keys in the position in which they are placedwhen the assemblyis to be 1 used for telegraphic communication.

. 5 As can be seen from an inspection "of Figs. 2, 3,

and l, the support for the instrumentalities of the set consists of a box-like structure having a sheet metal front enclosure l0, continuations of which form the ends 6| and 69 of the enclosure, and with upper and lower sides enclosed by sheet metal members I6 and I1. As will be observed from Fig. 3, the sheet metal members l6 and I! look over the upper and lower edges of member ID, making this part of the enclosure tight and dust proof and further serving to make the sup- 10 port more rugged. The opposite edges of the members 5 and I1, it will be observed, from inspection of Figs. 2 and 3, extend outwardin cooperative relation with slide members '20 secured to the cover member 8 of the box. 5 The member l6 serves as the support for the telegraph key assembly of the set. This assembly comprises a strip of insulating material 62 to which is secured a yoke35 and terminal 63. The operating arm 26 of the key is pivotally secured to a circular disc member 33 by means of a screw 32 and the disc is in turn pivoted to the previously mentioned yoke member 35. Obviously this arrangement enables movement of the arm in aplane parallel to it and also enables the nec- 25 essary rocking action required for its use as a telegraph key. A spring member 21, riveted to the lower side of the arm 26, serves as a switching member for switching the circuit as required to enable the assembly to be used either as a tele- 30 phone or as a telegraph set. It will be observed that the switching elements or buttons with which the spring element 21 cooperates comprises rivets 29 and 3| employed to hold the terminals 64 and 65 to the insulating strip 62, and that 35 these terminals serve to limit the horizontal range of rotary movement of the spring 21 and arm 26. The operating contacts of the key comprise a machine screw 28, secured to the insulating strip 62, and one of the rivets employed in 40 holding the spring 21 to the arm 26. The telegraph contacts serve to limit the rocking motion of the arm 26 in one direction, while an adjustable screw 30 on the arm 26 cooperates with the insulating strip 62 to limit the movement of the 4 arm 26 in the opposite direction. The opposite end of the arm 26 is provided with a suitable operating button 25.

The insulating strip 62 is securely held to the member I6 by the bolts 66, 61, and 68. It may a 50 also be mentioned that the previously described elements of the key assembly are prevented from 5 making electrical contact with the member 16 by providing the necessary holes'in this member at the points at which the various elements of the key set are attached to the insulating strip.

Mounted on the broad outside surface of plate H is the cradle member I I, provided with a button I8. This button is cooperatively associated with the spring assembly comprising springs 50 to 55, inclusive, secured to but insulated from the lower or inner side of member [1. A bracket member 60 is also secured to the lower side of member and cooperates with a shoulder on button I 8 and serves to limit the distance which the button can move springs of the associated combination. Also mounted on the underside of plate I1 is a buzzer assembly 4| which is employed as the signalling device both when the assembly is used as a telephone and when the same is used as a telegraph set.

Attached to the external side of the end member 6| is an insulating strip 1| upon which is mounted a pair of Fanstock clips serving as the external line terminals of the assembly. The same rivets which hold these clips to the insulation 1|] extend through to the inner side of member 6| and hold terminals for connection with the necessary internal wires. The lower one of these terminals, having reference to the illustration in Fig. 4, also includes an element 44 serving as a contact member for engaging one of the two flash light cells, 43 and 40, employed as a talking and signalling battery. The opposite end member 69 of the enclosure has secured to it a spring member 45 which is tensioned to firmly hold the flash light cell 43 against the cell 40, while the cells are both firmly held down against plate member |6 by aspring member 42 secured to the member I.

As will be observed from Figs. 1 and 2, the plate 8 when slid into place over the flanges 01 plates I6 and IT entirely closes the back side of the box-like structure and serves to protect the apparatus located therein. It will also be noted that adjacent the cradle side of the box the plate 8 extends beyond the height of the cradle sufficiently to include the added height of the handset when placed on the cradle, and also that adjacent the opposite side of the box the plate 8 extends considerably beyond the height of button 25 of the telegraph set. The reason for this construction will be obvious from an inspection of Fig. 1, wherein it will be observed that the entire assembly is supported on one edge of this plate when the assembly is used as a telephone set, and similarly it will be observed, from an inspection of Fig. 2, that the plate also serves as a support for the assembly when the same is in the position required for its use as a telegraph set. The assembly when placed in the carrying case 5 is held snugly against endwise movement by the blocks 9 and 9, which barely aiford clearance for the plate 8, while the assembly is held firmly against horizontal movement by arranging the breadth of the carrying case to just snugly receive the assembly. It will be noted that a carrying strap l is permanently secured to the case 5 and comprises a loop in which are included stirrups l5 and F5 on the ends of the carrying case cover 5. With this arrangement the cover can never be lost from the case and it merely slides down over the case proper when the assembly is being carried.

When the assembly is to be used as a telephone set it will be placed in the casing 5 in the position in which it is shown in Fig. 1, whereas if the assembly is to be used as a telegraph set the handset is removed and the remainder of the assembly is placed in the casing in the position in which it is shown in Fig. 2, with the handset outside the casing.

In order to describe the circuits employed, reference will now be made in the main to Fig. 9, wherein two assemblies are shown as stations A and B, connected together by a pair of line conductors LI and L2. Both assemblies as illustrated in the figure have been last used as telegraph sets, but have been replaced in the casing in the proper position to use them as telephone sets. The operators have, however, neglected to position their combined telegraph and switching keys in the position necessary when the sets are to be used for telephonic communication.

It will now be assumed that an operator at station A desires to get in telegraphic communication with the operator at station B. To do this the operator at station A removes the handset from the cradle, reverses the assembly into the position in which it is shown in Fig. 2, and proceeds to operate the telegraph button 25 to signal the operator at station B. The operation of button 25 effects the circuit closure of the buzzer 4| at station B. This circuit extends from contact 28 of the key, over conductors H and I2, through the battery BI, line conductor LI, the arm 26', spring 21, and switching contact 29 of the telegraph key at station B, contacts 54' and 53', the buzzer 4|, and back over line conductor L2 to the arm 25 of the telegraph key at station A.

A circuit in multiple with the one just traced is also completed for the buzzer 4| at station A each time the key is operated, so that the sending operator can check the accuracy of the signals he is transmitting. This multiple circuit extends from contact 28 over conductors H and 12, through the battery BI, the buzzer 4|, contacts 54 and 53, and through the switching contact 29 and spring 21 to the arm 26.

. The operator at station B, upon hearing the buzzer 5| removes his handset from the cradle, and reverses the assembly to telegraph position in the same manner as did the operator at station A. The operator at station B may, by oper ating his telegraph key operate the buzzer 4! at station A and his own buzzer as well over circuits similar to those traced during the sending operations originating at station A. These circuits will, however, include the battery B2 instead of Bl.

It will now be assumed that the operators at stations A and B decide to continue communication by telephonic means rather than by telegraph. Under these circumstances, the operators need only move their respective telegraph keys to the position shown in Fig. 6, and continue the communication by telephone. The talking circuit employed extends from the positive terminal of battery Bl, over conductor 12, to the receiver i3 and transmitter M in series, through contacts 50 and 5|, now closed since the handset is removed from button I8, switching contact 3|, spring 2?, arm 26, line conductor L2, through the battery B2, conductor 13, through the receiver and trans mitter in series of the hand telephone at station B, contacts 50 and 5|, switching contact 3|, the associated spring 21', arm 26, and the line conductor L| back to the negative terminal of battery Bl.

The operators may, after a period of telephonic communication, decide to again revert to the telegraph. To do so they merely restore their telegraph keys to their telegraphing position and continue.

When all communicationsfor the time being are to be terminated the telegraph keys should be placed in telephone position, the position shown in Fig. 6, and the assemblies removed from the carrying case and replaced therein in the position shown in Fig. 1. When the operators at stations A and B- replace theirhandsets on the associated cradle members the spring combinations associated with the respective buttons l8 and I8 again assume the position in which they are shown in Figs. 7 and 9.

It will now be assumed that the assemblies at stations A and B, respectively, have been replaced in their carrying cases with the telegraph keys in the position shown in Fig. 6 as above described, and that the operator at station B again desires to communicate with the operator at station A by telephone. Under these circumstances since the telegraph keys are in the position shown in Fig. 6, the operator at station B needs to merely remove his handset from the cradle and then operate the button l8 in the manner shown in Fig. 8. When this is done a circuit for buzzer 4| at station A is completed from the positive side of battery B2, through contacts 5'5 and 54', contacts 52' and 5|, switching contacts 3| and its associated spring 2?, arm 26', line conductor Ll, through the buzzer 4|, the contacts 53 and 54, contacts 52 and 5|, the switching contact 3| of the telegraph key and its associated spring 21, arm 26, and line conductor L2 back to the negative terminal of battery B2.

It will be observed that during the operation of button IE to signal station A, contacts 53' and 54' are separated, thereby preventing the operation of buzzer 4| of the calling station under these circumstances. As soon as the operator at station A removes the handset I2 from its cradle and the operator at station B releases the button iii the previously traced telephone circuit is again completed and conversation may ensue.

Having described the invention, what is considered to be new and is desired to be protected by Letters Patent will be set forth in the following claims:

What is claimed is:

1. In a combined telephone and telegraph assembly, a telegraphing key, telephone circuits and telegraph circuits, means for pivoting said key for oscillation through one plane, contacts controlled by said key when moved in one plane to control said telegraphic circuit, means for pivotally securing said key to enable its movement in another plane, and contacts controlled by said key when moved in said other plane for modifying said telephone and telegraph control circuits.

2. In a combined telegraph and telephone instrument, a reversible container, switching springs and a battery mounted within the container, a cradle support mounted on one side of the container and a telegraph key mounted on the opposite side thereof, a hand telephone mounted on the cradle, a switching member in the cradle operated by the hand telephone to control said switching springs, a carrying case, means for supporting said container within said case so that either the telegraph key or the cradle is concealed in the case, said key exposed for operation in the case with the container mounted with the cradle concealed in the case, said key operated to control a circuit including the switching springs and the battery so as to send telegraph impulses, said hand telephone exposed for operation in the case with the container reversed and mounted with the key concealed, said hand telephone operated in a telephone circuit including said switching springs and battery for transmitting telephone conversation.

3. In a combination telephone and telegraph instrument, telephone and telegraph circuits in said instrument, a telegraph key, telephone contacts and telegraph contacts connected to their respective circuits and controlled by Said key,

means for supporting said key for operation in one plane to close said telephone circuit, and means for supporting said key for operation in another plane to close said telegraph circuit.

4. In a combined telephone and telegraph set, means for supporting telephone instruments on one side of said set, means for supporting a telegraph key on the other side of said set, sets of circuit closing contacts, one of ;said contact sets connected to the telephone circuit and the other to the telegraph circuit, and means responsive to the operation of said key in one plane to control said telephone contacts and responsive to its operation in another plane to control said telegraph contacts.

5. In a signaling system, a pair of combined telephone and telegraph sets, line conductors connecting said sets, a signal for each set, means for operating said signal as a telephone call signal, means for operating said signal as a telegraph communication signal, switching means comprising a telegraph key at each station, contacts controlled by said telegraph key for conmeeting the signals at both sets in multiple over said line for telegraphic operation, and the other contacts controlled by said key for connecting the signal of the other set and disconnecting the signal of the associated set for telephonic operation.

6. In a combined telephone and telegraph set, a carrying case therefor, a support for said set comprising a box-shaped structure, a telegraph key mounted on the outside of one side of said structure, a telephone handset and cradle therefor mounted outside the opposite side of said structure, and a mounting plate attached to another side of said structure for supporting said structure in said carrying case in a position to use either said telegraph key or said telephone handset.

7. In a combined telephone and telegraph set, a support for said set comprising a box-shaped structure, a telegraph key mounted outside of one side of said structure, a telephone handset and cradle therefor mounted outside the opposite side of said structure from said telegraph key; a signal, a source of battery current, and a set of switching springs controlled by said handset all supported inside said structure; a carrying case for saidset, and a mounting plate attached to another side of said structure for supporting the set in said case, said mounting plate arranged to be reversible in said case so that in one position said telegraph key is exposed for use and in the reversed position said telephone is exposed for use.

HARRY H. IDE. 

